Statin
The statins are a class of pharmaceuticals that act by
competitively inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA)
reductase. The reductase is an enzyme involved in the liver cholesterol synthesis.
The drugs are the most potent cholesterol lowering agents (LDL-cholesterol), however, they are less effective than the fibrates in reducing triglycerides and raising HDL-cholesterol.
The statins play an important role in primary and secondary prevention
of ischaemic heart disease and myocardial infarct.
There is ongoing research for other actions of statins apart from
lipid-lowering for instance - anti-inflammatory or anti-dementive.
The statins are (brand names in countries other than the US can be different):
See also -
References:
- FDA approval of rosuvastatin
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